Works Minister Robert Morgan has indicated that there are “robust” mechanisms of accountability in place to ensure that there are no acts of duplicity under the Government’s $45-billion Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme.

The SPARK programme aims to upgrade Jamaica’s infrastructure, with a focus on improvements to road networks and water systems.

Work under the programme is expected to start by the end of the year.

Addressing yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in St Andrew, Morgan pointed to anti-corruption agencies such as the Integrity Commission and the Auditor General’s Department (AuGD)

Five international companies – Sinohydro Corporation Limited, China; Municipal Enterprises Limited, Canada; Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure Limited, United Kingdom; China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, China; and VINCI Construction Grands Projects, from France – were prequalified to engage in the project.

Morgan said the selected company would be announced at a later date.

According to the minister, there are certain obligations that the selected company will have that are embedded in the contract currently being reviewed by the AuGD.

“Under SPARK, there will be a defect liability period, where if they build a road and there are flaws, at 12 months, thereabout, they have to fix it without any cost to the country,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Public Investment Management Committee approved the programme. It is now awaiting further approvals from the Public Procurement Committee, the Infrastructure Committee, and Cabinet, Morgan stated.

More than 600 community roads have been submitted for works by members of parliament (MP) and councillors, which he said includes both total rehabilitation as well as the replacement of National Water Commission pipes.

Additionally, consultation has been held with representatives of 62 of 63 constituencies, and arrangements are being made for discussions with the MP from the outstanding constituency.

In the meantime, Morgan said the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) programme, under which funds were allocated to address roads damaged by Hurricane Beryl, is ongoing.

He said the clean-up phase, which cost about $1.5 billion and was being carried out by the National Solid Waste Management Authority and the National Works Agency, is 82 per cent complete.

The minister said the $3-billion road-rehabilitation aspect of the programme is under way but was hindered by consistent rains.

“I know that there are members of the public, justifiably so, who were a bit concerned about the patching not moving as fast as they would like it to, but we have to ensure that it is done properly so that the patched road does not get destroyed too quickly,” Morgan stated.